AN Auchinleck lass is making big waves down under after being promoted as one of Australia’s top cops.

Former Auchinleck local, Linda Williams, has been appointed as South Australian Deputy Police Commissioner.

Linda, a career police officer with 35 years’ experience in operational, corporate and leadership roles, has been announced as the next Deputy Commissioner of South Australia Police (SAPOL).

The 52-year-old is originally from Auchinleck. She attended Auchinleck Primary School and then Auchinleck Academy for two years until 1976, when she made the move to Adelaide, South Australia with her parents Lee and June Clark and her sisters are June and Sandra.

The promotion sees Linda become the highest ever ranked female officer in SAPOL.

Commissioner Grant Stevens said he was looking forward to a lengthy partnership with Ms Williams as his Deputy.

He said: “I’m confident that Linda has the capabilities and energy to support me in leading SAPOL into the future to ensure it remains at the highest level of performance.

“Linda exemplifies our modern and progressive organisation. She has built a broad skill set across a range of critical policing functions.

“Importantly, she has the respect and confidence of her colleagues on the Senior Executive Group and those she has worked with in SAPOL and across Government.” New Deputy Police Commissioner, Linda said: “I’m proud to be able to take on a role that will help shape the future direction of an organisation that has given me a brilliant, exciting and varied career.

“Thank you to my husband, family and peers for their support to help me to achieve this milestone.” Linda’s police career began as a cadet in 1980 at the age of just 17.

Appointed Assistant Commissioner Operations Support Service in 2012, she has been accountable for the performance of critical support areas for SAPOL including; the Firearms Branch, the emergency Call Centres, Traffic Support, Prosecution Services, Licensing Enforcement and the Criminal Justice Sector Reform Project Team.

Prior to becoming an Assistant Commissioner in late 2012, Linda was Officer in Charge, Ethical and Professional Standards Branch (EPSB).

She became a Superintendent in 2003 and was promoted to Chief Superintendent in 2010.